I2S



On a Ramble in Ceylon.



for we heard him utter his hoarse guttural notes of alarm, and a

few moments afterwards the call is repeated in the distance.


Along the river bank we note the Bee-eater ( Merops viridis )

plentiful in this particular locality ; and a Drongo who, on being

disturbed, displays a conspicuous white rump, we conclude to be

Dicntrus lencopygialis. Close to the banks of the river where the

vegetation was thickest a dull brown Warbler was plentiful; it

was not identified and only seen in this particular locality. The

Ceylon Grackle (Ezilabcs ptilogenys) was also fairly numerous, and

afforded a welcome contrast to the ubiquitous Common Mynah

(.Acridotheres melanosternus) who was en evidence everywhere.


As the afternoon is now far advanced, and twilight in the

tropics of short duration, we will by the aid of our sandals,

transfer ourselves back to the camp, and prepare for the return

journey to Kaltura. A Cingalese brings into camp a young

Snake Eaglet ( Spiloniis melanolis) sewn up in a native basket, its

head protruding from one end, its legs, tied tightly together,

from the other. It was subsequently liberated, placed in an

improvised cage and fed on scalded raw meat and insects. In a

few days it regained the use of its legs and improved rapidly,

and when last seen was on its way to join a collection formed by

an enthusiastic planter on a hill station.


Soon we leave the jungle-clad hills behind, and repass the

paddy swamps on whose placid surface the rising moon is

already casting a silvery sheen, the Egrets and Bitterns have

vanished, Night-jars fly noiselessly overhead, and the bull frogs

are awakening. A few miles farther and we hear again the dull

roar of the surf ceaselessly beating the palm-fringed shore, and

know that we have nearly completed our journey. The soft

notes of the Dyal Bird (Copsychus saularis) are not yet stilled,

and a pair of Brahmitiy Kites ( Haliastur Indus') are hawking

along the water’s edge as we enter the rest-house very tired and

very dirty, but our collecting box is full and our hearts have been

gladdened by the sight of such bird life as does not fall to our lot

every day, so after a bath and substantial meal we smoke the pipe

of peace with all mankind.



